The FY21 Defense Appropriations Act provides funding to the Department of Defense Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) to support research of exceptional scientific merit in the area of kidney cancer. As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC).

https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/kcrp

Applications submitted to the FY21 KCRP must address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Conduct basic biology research to better understand etiology and cancer progression, metastatic disease, refractory disease and therapeutic resistance, genetic and environmental risk factors and the prevention of kidney cancer.
• Identify and develop new strategies for screening, early-stage detection, accurate diagnosis and prognosis prediction of kidney cancers, with examples including biomarkers and imaging.
• Define the biology of rare kidney cancers and develop treatments to improve outcomes and reduce death.
• Develop novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of kidney cancer, such as novel drug targets, therapeutic modalities and agents, treatment combinations and drug delivery systems.
• Identify and implement strategies to improve the quality of life of patients.
• Identify and implement strategies to mitigate health disparities, such as access to healthcare, social and cultural factors, environmental factors, and biological contributors.

Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Investigator Award – Letter of Intent due September 14, 2021

Within three years of last postdoctoral research position (Ph.D.) or clinical fellowship (M.D.), or equivalent, as of full application submission deadline.

Letter attesting to eligibility required.

• Supports addition of new Early-Career Investigators (ECIs) to the unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, and a peer group for junior faculty.
• ECIs whose ability to commit to conducting kidney cancer research is limited by lack of resources or other overwhelming obstacles are encouraged to apply.
• A Designated Mentor who is an experienced kidney cancer researcher with a record of kidney cancer funding is required.
• The Designated Mentor not required to be at the same institution as the ECI.
• Preliminary data required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Maximum funding of $725,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance four years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

Clinical Trial Award – Letter of Intent due September 14, 2021

Independent investigators at all levels.

Supports projects ranging from small proof-of-concept trials (e.g., pilot, first in human, phase 0) to demonstrate feasibility or inform the design of more advanced trials, through large-scale trials to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations.

• Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), devices, clinical guidance, and/or emerging approaches and technologies.
• Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application, if applicable, must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by the time of application submission.
• Documented availability of and access to the drug/compound, device, and/or other materials needed, as appropriate, for the proposed duration of the study must be provided.
• Clinical trials are expected to begin no later than 12 months after the award date, or 18 months after the award date for FDA-regulated studies.
• Maximum funding of $2,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is four years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

Clinical Research Nurse Development Award – Letter of Intent due September 14, 2021

The Initiating Principal Investigator (PI) must be at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) with an M.D. and/or M.D./Ph.D. degree (or equivalent).

The Partnering PI must be a clinical research nurse coordinator with at least 2 years of oncology or cancer clinical trial research nurse experience, and have a Registered Nurse license and/or a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree in nursing.

• Supports partnerships between a clinician and a clinical research nurse coordinator (or equivalent).
• Supports kidney cancer research and the career development of kidney cancer clinical trial research nurses.
• Clinical trials are not allowed; correlative studies to clinical trials are allowed.
• Maximum funding of $300,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is two years.
• Indirect costs may be proposed in accordance with the institution’s negotiated rate agreement.

Your proposal is due to the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs no later than five days prior to the sponsor deadline. Please contact osrp@iit.edu for questions submitting your proposal.